220 Syrian migrants rescued off northern Cyprus

Some 220 Syrian migrants crammed onto a fishing boat were rescued off the northern coast of Cyprus on Sunday as the vessel hit rough seas in the Mediterranean, authorities said.

Turkish Cypriot authorities were able to rescue the passengers, who were aboard a Tanzanian fishing boat with a number of children among them, after an operation lasting several hours in bad weather and rough seas, local police said in a statement.

The boat had signalled for help some 300 metres (yards) off the coast near the town of Kyrenia in the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus, which is recognised only by Turkey.